“And these witnesses have been examined?”

“Yes.  They have both sworn to the document and to their own signatures, and the painter recognized his finger-marks.”

“That,” said Thorndyke, “seems to dispose pretty effectually of any question as to the genuineness of the will; and if, as I gather, Mr. Jeffrey came to the lodge alone, the question of undue influence is disposed of too.”

“Yes,” said Mr. Marchmont.  “I think we must pass the will as absolutely flawless.”

“It strikes me as rather odd,” said Thorndyke, “that Jeffrey should have known so little about his sister’s intentions.  Can you explain it, Mr. Blackmore?”

“I don’t think that it is very remarkable,” Stephen replied.  “I knew very little of my aunt’s affairs and I don’t think my uncle Jeffrey knew much more, for he was under the impression that she had only a life interest in her husband’s property.  And he may have been right.  It is not clear what money this was that she left to my uncle.  She was a very taciturn woman and made few confidences to anyone.”

“So that it is possible,” said Thorndyke, “that she, herself, may have acquired this money recently by some bequest?”

“It is quite possible,” Stephen answered.

“She died, I understand,” said Thorndyke, glancing at the notes that he had jotted down, “two days before Mr. Jeffrey.  What date would that be?”

“Jeffrey died on the fourteenth of March,” said Marchmont.

“So that Mrs. Wilson died on the twelfth of March?”

“That is so,” Marchmont replied; and Thorndyke then asked: 

“Did she die suddenly?”

“No,” replied Stephen; “she died of cancer.  I understand that it was cancer of the stomach.”

“Do you happen to know,” Thorndyke asked, “what sort of relations existed between Jeffrey and his brother John?”

“At one time,” said Stephen, “I know they were not very cordial; but the breach may have been made up later, though I don’t know that it actually was.”

“I ask the question,” said Thorndyke, “because, as I dare say you have noticed, there is, in the first will, some hint of improved relations.  As it was originally drawn that will makes Mr. Stephen the sole legatee.  Then, a little later, a codicil is added in favour of John, showing that Jeffrey had felt the necessity of making some recognition of his brother.  This seems to point to some change in the relations, and the question arises:  if such a change did actually occur, was it the beginning of a new and further improving state of feeling between the two brothers?  Have you any facts bearing on that question?”

Marchmont pursed up his lips with the air of a man considering an unwelcome suggestion, and, after a few moments of reflection, answered: 

“I think we must say ‘yes’ to that.  There is the undeniable fact that, of all Jeffrey’s friends, John Blackmore was the only one who knew that he was living in New Inn.”